PTI nods to attend NA session after de-seating motion withdrawn

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers will attend the National Assembly session after withdrawal of the de-seating motion, party spokesman said.

According to ARY News, PTI Spokesman Naeem-ul-Haq on Thursday said that the party respects the parliament adding that the PTI members will play their parliamentary role.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) today withdrawn their motions seeking de-seating of PTI members from the house over their long absence from the parliament during PTI sit-in in Islamabad.

Another PTI leader Shafqat Mehmood has said that his party will play the role of opposition in the house. He said point scoring being made over the issue though the ruling PML-N was well aware that the house will be incomplete without the PTI presence.

MQM and JUI-F had submitted de-seating motion in the National Assembly against more than 40 members of PTI who remained absent from the house last year without taking permission from the Speaker.

Speaker National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq had contacted with MQM chief Altaf Hussain and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and convinced them to withdraw the motions.

The movers of the motions MQM’s Salman Khan Baloch and JUI-F’s Naeema Kishwar in their brief speeches announced to withdraw their de-seating motions against PTI members.

Ayaz Sadiq said the MQM chief made the decision to withdraw the motion during a telephonic conversation the previous night. “I spoke to Altaf Hussain about not issuing statements against the armed forces,” he said.

The NA Speaker said, “Altaf Hussain told me that the army and its soldiers are brothers. I also spoke to him about the matter of de-seating PTI MNAs. He said he would consult his colleagues. Later, Altaf Hussain contacted me. I am happy to announce that the MQM has agreed to take back its de-seating motion in the greater national interest.”

Senior MQM leader Farooq Satter while addressing the House said “Altaf Hussain has said he has no animosity with the armed forces or Rangers.”

He said that the JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had also withdrawn his party’s motion.

Leader of the Opposition Khursheed Shah said, “Today is a day of victory for the parliament.” “We have not only only protected PTI but its supporters as well,” Shah said, adding, “The voters should not be punished for the mistakes of others,” Shah said. “We will have to amend our attitude and move ahead.”

The JUI-F chief yesterday said his party had decided to withdraw the motion at the request of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.